The Atlanta Falcons are mong many teams looking to trade for Deshaun Watson. They emerged as a dark-horse suitor after several other teams prepared to make a move for the Houston Texans quarterback. It seemed unlikely with Matt Ryan still in place but as he approaches his 37th birthday, they are in the hunt for the 26-year-old star quarterback.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, the Falcons have let Ryan know that are pursuing Watson. It's the least they could do, as Ryan has been there for well over a decade and brought them to its longest stretch of excellence in the franchise's history.

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Any trade the Falcons make for Watson would be a huge one. Despite the civil cases he still faces over inexcusable, nasty behavior, the market for him is extremely competitive. Their NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, are going hard to get him and so are the Cleveland Browns.

The Falcons restructured Ryan's contract, which should make it easier to move him. Mortensen insisted in January that they wouldn't move on from their franchise star. But the availability of Watson was a big enough reason to change course. The three-time Pro Bowler offers a huge upgrade at the QB spot.

The Falcons went 7-10 last season and will soon have to move on from Ryan. Doing so with Watson would be a drastic course change for the franchise.